Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup
A beauty blog blooming with fresh makeup reviews, swatches and beauty tips from your friendly neighborhood beauty addict
I’ve got two coats of Bohemian Republik’s $12 Mystic Ruin on my paws.
It’s a navy blue with tiny flecks of gold micro-glitter and larger bits of pink foil.
Pretty, yeah? And different. It reminds me of a Flintstones dinosaur…
I don’t think I have anything else like it in my stash.
Now it’s your turn. What are you wearing on your nails?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. 
Glitter like this deserves more than a night on the couch in the living room eating Mini Snickers waiting for trick-or-treaters and watching old episodes of Long Island Medium on Tivo, but eh — what ya gonna do?
I’ll just pretend I’m at a party. 🙂 Why yes, thank you for asking. I would like to dance. And certainly, I will have one — or three — of those mini Snickers.
I’m wearing a few things here from the new MAC Stroke of Midnight and Nocturnal holiday collections, as well as a couple products from NARS and Urban Decay.
I’ve stumbled on some pretty good beauty bargains lately, stuff down in the $5 or less category (Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Butter, anyone?).
These Ardell 135 fashion lashes are only $4 each! — and they’re fan-frickin’-tastic.
They’re incredibly lightweight (I barely feel ’em at all) and have a very thin band, so they’re comfy as heck, and because they don’t span all the way across the lash line, they’re also easy to apply.
I place mine toward the outer edge of my eyes, where they add a noticeable lift but don’t look too crazy. 🙂
And yeah, they’re only $4!!
They’re carried at most drugstores, Sally Beauty and, of course, online.
It being Halloween and all, how about some eye candy? Walk with me, while we take a quick excursion to the Land of Dolce & Gabbana…
If you’ve never crossed paths with Dolce & Gabbana’s Desert Quad ($67, and part of the brand’s permanent line), try to, especially if you love warm brown on your eyes. It’s an absolute joy to blend!
And speaking of joy…if you plan to be in San Francisco this Saturday, November 2, swing by the Dolce & Gabbana counter at Saks Fifth Avenue in Union Square.
D&G national artist Christian McCulloch will be there giving makeovers at the counter.
I met Christian last spring, and he was a ton of fun and a tremendous resource with a vast arsenal of makeup tips.
Call the Dolce & Gabbana counter at (415) 438-5225 to schedule an appointment. No minimum purchase necessary, and it’s free to attend. 🙂
Between the The Walking Dead — which my Sundays revolve around, no joke! — and the post-apocalyptic entertainment currently killing it in movie theaters and bookstores, I think it’s safe to say that zombies, like rose gold and kale, are having a moment. 
And everyone’s getting in on the undead action, including the beauty world. Feast your eyes on Bohemian Republik’s new five piece Zombie Collection…
Boulder, Colorado-based indie nail polish line Bohemian Republik wants to be known for…
- Their formula — which is free of formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate, toluene and camphor
- Being cruelty-free, vegan and not tested on animals (paws up from Tabs)
- Being made in the USA
If you hunger for glitter and pigment like a zombie craves brains, you’ll want to get to know this five-piece collection, which reminds me of a Frankenstein-ian combination of products from Essie, Deborah Lippann and China Glaze.
Gangrene, a creamy kiwi, is my favorite one here. Bright and vibrant, it’s also easy to apply, super smooth and not too thick nor thin.
It’s just right…
I’m wearing two coats in the swatch to keep all the pics in this post consistent, but I’m sure I could have gotten away with one.
The brush attached to these polishes is on the narrow side, which actually makes the polishes easy to apply. None of the brush fibers splay out, either, or do other funky things, and that’s great; however, I do wish it was a little easier to get nice, crisp edges with it at the base of my nails. By no means is it difficult, but it’s not quite as easy as OPI, if you know what I mean.
I don’t think these pics do justice to glittery Decay. In real life, and particularly in full sun, Decay comes to life! The semi-transparent bronzed gray base pulsates with gold and teal shimmer.
There’s something so MAC Club Eyeshadow about it…the way it flickers from bronzed gray to gold to teal…
Very, very cool. I’m wearing two coats in this swatch, by the way.
Feeding Frenzy — I love this creamy blood red’s clever name. Like Gangrene, the formula is extremely smooth and easy to wield. I’m wearing two coats here, but one would have worked fine.
As far as the color itself, I like it, but it’s not altogether original, I guess in terms of blood red shades, but I think it would look really cool as part of a half-moon mani with this next shade…
Gray Matter! — also known as the color of wet cement. Or brains…
I have to say, Bohemian Rebulik’s creams are shockingly consistent. Like the others, this one’s streak-free, comes loaded with pigment, and lays down lots of color in every coat. I’m wearing two in this swatch.
Gray Matter also gives back. For every bottle of Gray Matter purchased, Bohemian Republik donates $1 to the Musella Foundation for Brain Tumor Research & Information.
Filed under “Conversations I Have With My Pan of NARS DOLCE VITA Blush”:
ME: We have to talk.
NARS DOLCE VITA: OK. About what?
ME: Our relationship.
NARS DOLCE VITA: Alright, that was ominous… Should I sit down?
ME: If you want.
NARS DOLCE VITA: Are you breaking up with me? Is this a breakup?
ME: Oh, gosh, no! I still think we should see each other. It’s just… I dunno. I need more…
NARS DOLCE VITA: Space?
ME: No! Excitement. I was going to say “excitement.”
NARS DOLCE VITA: So what — are you a swinger now? You want to start seeing other blushes?
ME: No. I mean, I want to stay together, but it’s been 12 years. I just think we should…re-evaluate our status. Maybe switch to something more fluid? Like an open relationship?
NARS DOLCE VITA: Oh, I get it. Open. OK, just don’t tell me about your one night stands.
ME: Not even the one I’m having right now with the new NARS One Night Stand cheek palette?
NARS DOLCE VITA: Wait — what? Are you? Is he that limited edition holiday palette?
ME: Yes. Six blushes total, and three of them are new.
NARS DOLCE VITA: Oh, great.
ME: I actually think you two would get along.
NARS DOLCE VITA: Right! So, tell me about him.
ME: Well, the new ones are shimmery alabaster Devotee Highlighting Blush, bright pink Mistinguette Blush and fleshy pink Goulue. You already know the others — golden brown Laguna Bronzer, golden peach Orgasm and sheer peach Deep Throat.
NARS DOLCE VITA: Do you…love this palette?
ME: I don’t know. I mean, I probably would if all of its shades were new. I do really like the highlighting blush. It reminds me of NARS Albatross, only more pinkish beige? If I could have it in a single…
NARS DOLCE VITA: OK, stop. Fine, I’m willing to try. If this means that much to you, we can try sharing, but I’m not making any promises.
To all current and future employees of Tabs the Cat Industries, LLC:
It has recently come to the attention of management that several employees celebrated National Cat Day yesterday, October 29.
While the formal acknowledgement of the fabulousness of felines is always encouraged, we would like to take this time to remind you that, here at Tabs the Cat Industries, every day is Cat Day.
Purr the management, please advise your teams that kitty-themed clothing and makeup are mandatory components of the company dress code.
Please direct all inquiries regarding this memo, or eye makeup looks, like this bronze and brown smokey cat eye using products from the new MAC Stroke of Midnight and Noctural holiday collections, to Karen in the executive offices, care of Tabs the Cat. Karen would be happy to purr-vide you with further details.
I brought home both of these goodies after my last haircut on the recommendation of my stylist, Alis, and I lurve them.
My mop had been parched lately and was looking a little dull, especially the ends, for which Alis suggested Bain Elixir Ultime Shampoo ($42 for a 250ml bottle) and Masque Elixir Ultime ($65 for a 200ml jar), both by Kerastase.
BAIN ELIXIR ULTIME ($42)
A versatile, nourishing oil providing ultimate shine, softness and nourishment for all hair types
- Silicone and paraben-free
- Gently cleanses while nourishing and purifying
- Strengthens hair, leaving it soft and shiny
MASQUE ELIXIR ULTIME ($65)
A beautifying oil treatment for all hair types
- Revives and restores hair
- Nourishes deep into the hair fiber
- Pumps up the shine
- Leaves hair feeling weightless
I was wary of the prices ($65 for a hair mask? OMG!), but Alis assured me that both products would last a good, long while, and I think she’s right. I’ve only been using a dollop of each one for my hair, which is pretty thick and unruly, so I should be able to stretch these out for — I’m hoping — 6 or more months.
Both of them contain a blend of oils — maize, pracaxi, camellia and argan — to soften and add incredible shine, without a lot of weight, and they’re recommended for all hair types.
Gotta say…I’m a believer! It’s only been a couple weeks, but I’m sure my mop is shinier, and the ends definitely feel less crunchy.
I also don’t feel like my hair has a coating/residue (ugh, hate that) after I rinse off in the shower, and best of all, after my hair dries, it still has a good deal of volume.
Both the Bain Elixir Ultime and Masque Elixir are available now.
